Shades of Blue

by Karen Kingsbury

Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all - a great career, a beautiful and loving fiance, and a fairy tale life ahead of him when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is that I am tired of reading books by Christian authors who glamorize the characters - "she" is always young and extremely beautiful and "he" is always young and terribly handsome. Not everyone who falls in love in the real world are beautiful and handsome nor young. I expect this from secular authors but don't understand why it has to be prevalent in Christian books.

Otherwise, I liked this book very much. The subject of the story was quite different than what authors usually write about. There are some parts that are tear jerkers. I was also touched by the author's words at the end of the book about the subject matter.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. With the last novel I read of Karen's, Between Sundays, she won me over totally. With this book, I am an official fan. This story is something that is so hard to talk about and with the honesty and realness she wrote with, I felt like almost like I was intruding in their business. The way the plot developed was awesome. The emotions and reactions of everyone were completely true to life and the subject matter wasn't something that was glossed over or made into a pat little sermon. The relationship between Brad and Emma over the course of the weekend was so bittersweet and I teared up more than once. I'm really glad it ended the way it did, however, because anything else would have felt like they were living in the past. I really really liked Laura's character and the journey she went on. Her emotions about the situation were completely normal and she had every right to feel that way. But Karen really flipped the situation around and showed her feelings from a biblical light that isn't shown very often. It helped me personally to read Laura's struggle. The scene between her and Brad when he comes was amazing and I couldn't believe she did what she did but I thought it was an amazing gesture toward him that showed her change of heart. I HIGHLY recommend this book

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars.

This book pulled at my heart strings in so many ways. Yes, constantly hearing Emma grieve over her life was kind of bothering me - until I found out why.

Karen's book has touch me on such a deep and spiritual level that I can promise you I will be re-reading it and recommending to anyone that is willing to sit down and enjoy it. No matter what your views on abortion are - this book will make you think.

Everyone has a past.

On top of that, this is the perfect book when it comes to closure. Not just closure on past decisions, but relationships and heartache. Everyone at some point in their life will come across that man or woman who just leaves their heart shattered across the floor.

This book will help you find peace with it.

"He angled his head, searching her eyes, almost as if he were memorizing her. 'Shades of blue. That's where we'll always be.' He looked out at the ocean again. 'Here in the shades of blue.'"

[Kelly Kosinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too sad to read. I still feel abortion should be legal, however having had one years ago, I do feel it was the wrong choice for me.

[Keiki Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Simply a must read for fiction lovers who would dare engage into the Truth about the Sanctity of Life, the consequences of bad choices, and God’s power to heal and reconcile us after the most atrocious of sins.”

Those who are pro-choice (better named parent’s choice as the child has no choice at all) would most likely not read this novel.

Planned Parenthood supporters would ridicule it (the last act of vestige of someone without a defensible position.)

And, those who have so lost their way that they herald abortion as a ‘woman’s reproductive right’, would simply dismiss it claiming it is for the unintelligent.

I am none of the above. I am a Christian and though the subject matter of this book, abortion, is quite hard to read sometimes, the focus is not about abortion debate. It is about the infinite power of a loving God to heal, reconcile, and forgive.

A young love that falls prey to a weak moment results in a decade of guilt, misery, sorrow and pain. The story of Emma Landon and Brad Cutler is one of a lives changed by an irrevocable decision.

Can Jesus, a loving God, bring healing after an abortion? Can we fall so deeply into sin that Jesus cannot reach us to forgive and heal? If we cannot bear to remember our pain, face it and confess it, can we live our lives as if it did not happen?

Many other reviews are posted with the storyline of this novel so I won’t include it in this review. It is better that I should discuss the importance of this novel for how it provides a true picture of how lives are changed.

Abortion is not something discussed at family gatherings or other ‘friendly’ conversation and oftentimes men and women live with the hurt, the pain, the shame, and the guilt without an outlet to release them, even to God. But, God is ever present waiting, watching, and wanting to forgive if we only read II Chronicles 7:14.

This story tells of the ‘mental conversations’, the ‘walking shame’, and the ‘lifetime of self-judgment’ that those who have shut down the life of their child at the altar of their own plans for the future truly feel. I have no doubt that even those who support abortion have these feelings but deny them. Perhaps, it is these feelings that drive their anger.

This is a book whose time has come. Few authors approach this topic. Reading of the author thoughts, I find that she might not have written it had God not prompted her, which is a miracle of God’s providence alone.

I recommend this book to men and women who would care to know the Truth about the inevitable consequences of abortion and those who have had an abortion as well because it give voice to their own thoughts and allows them to identify with the characters and prompts them to seek healing and forgiveness from the living, loving most high God.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very preachy -- over the top preachy and usually I don't mind Christian fiction.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish - cheesy and preachy

[Meredith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not interesting enough for me finish it. I didn't have a connection to the characters and really didn't care what happened to them in the end. Kingsbury takes great pains to inflict her extreme Christian views on her readers when she should spend more time developing her characters.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book free from the author. It wasn't a promotional thing, rather I won it via a Twitter contest. I recently discovered Karen Kingsbury, and wasn't sure what to expect. I enjoyed her 9/11 series, and figured I'd enjoy this one, too. I had little idea what was coming when I began. But, pretty early on I was kinda able to guess what was coming. And, oh, the pain. Karen Kingsbury handles a very difficult subject very well. I am impressed. This is a heart-wrenching story - in a MUCH different way than her 9/11 series stories. Where that's about a horrible tragedy no one brought on themselves, this is about the repercussions to the choices we make. I am sorry to leave this so vague, but I don't wanna spoil this for anyone. I couldn't put this book down - couldn't wait to see how everything played out. My heart breaks thinking that there are people out there who struggle with this very thing, and I can only imagine how those without Christ can make it through.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an honest, real, open book about abortion, and the aftermath that nobody talks about. Brad is getting ready to marry the woman he loves, but he realizes that, before he gives his life to her, he has to close the chapter of his past. That past involves a childhood love, a choice they made, and dealing with the abortion of their child due to an unplanned pregnancy. It shows how, one decision can not only affect the life of a child taken away, but can affect a woman, a man, and those that come into their lives in the future. Brad had to apologize to Emma for his role in aborting their child. Emma had to forgive herself and Brad for their choice. Brad's fiance then had to forgive them for keeping the secret. Wow, what a mess!! In no way was this novel condemning abortion, it was just showing all the aspects that may not be thought about and spoken about, and all the emotions and guilt that MAY arise from one "procedure". Thank you Karen Kingsbury for being so honest about your choices in the end as well!!

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Cutler, 28, is preparing to get married. Yet, memories of his high school girlfriend surface and torment him. Brad must confront his past by visiting her before he can go onto the next chapter in his life.

What a powerful story that had to be told. Thank you, Karen, for telling it. As said in the book, "Everyone has something in their past."

Following God isn't always easy. Going back to fix a wrong is the right thing to do. Brad finds doing that may cost him everything. Isn't that the Christian message? Risk everything for the cross?

This book touched areas in my life. Without giving anything away, I identified with Brad. I had to go back to those earlier years and straighten out a wrong I created. The fruit of doing what's right paid off.

2nd Time
Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is about to marry the girl of his dreams. Memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. He must go back before going forward.

As usual, Karen's stories stir emotions. Forgiveness is the greatest thing, making one clean and free. Great read.

3rd Time. So many emotions. Rereading it brings back memories. So good.

[Kristy Trauzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my type of book. At all. It was religious. It made no false pretense of what the book was about. But I still had to read it.

And it wasn't as bad as I thought considering it was religious. I just skipped the bible verses (thank you new paragraph) and continued on.

As I am pregnant now, reading about the abortion was so weird to me. I am against abortions for myself, but believe women should be able to choose. However, I remember how excited I was at 3 months and how much my baby had grown, and I felt sad about the abortion, and that much happier about my baby.

This was a great book.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a 3.5. I liked the book and it dealt with a tough topic (abortion), but I didn't care too much for one of the main characters. Spoiled rich girl, still living on Daddy's money, not holding down a job (but kept extremely busy 3 days a week doing charity work). I just couldn't relate!!

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very heartbreaking....

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
333 pages Paperback, Story pages 25-311

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Romance > Christian Romance; Inspirational, Women's Fiction > Chick Lit

Featuring: New York City, North Carolina, Secrets, Small Towns, Reese Witherspoon Lookalike, Brad Pitt Lookalike, Loss of Child, Abortion, Terminal Illnesses, Bible Study, Loss of Faith, Bible Verses, Wedding Planning, Scholastic Setting, Dedication, Forever In Fiction, Author's Letter, Study Guide, Book Preview - Take One (Above the Line #) 13 pgs,
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Rating as a movie: PG-13 for Adult Content

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😢

Songs for soundtrack: "Red Ragtop" by Tim McGraw, "Miracle" by Whitney Houston, "You Are Joy" by Warr Acres, "Take You Back" by Jeremy Camp, "Touch The Sky" by Hillsing UNITED

My thoughts: Page 78 of 333, Ch. 7 - This is slow but not boring. I thought I figured it out but I have no idea what's happening.
📖 103 Ch. 9 - Oh, so this going to be one of those Family First for adult movies.
📖 183 Ch. 17 - This story keeps trying to make me cry.
📖 221 Ch. 21 - Even though the prom proposal was silly, this book feels so much better than it did yesterday. I had to look that album up. The cover wasn't pretty. I really feel for Emma. 🫂

I was surprised to find myself itching to get back to this story. It was very was a slower pace emotionally driven story and opened up in ways I didn't expect. This isva tough topic and Kingsbury handled it beautifully. I does hit differently when real people are fictionalized. I didn't know their stories until after reading because I skip those parts of the book as some authors give spoilers.

Recommend to others?: Yes. This is a book I probably would have skipped if I was aware of the subjects but I'm glad I read it and highly recommend it to others.

[Ellinor · Rating 2 out of 5]

3,5

[Kapeta Tusekile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stand alone novel by Karen Kingsbury. In this book she talks about forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, grace, love, all found in Christ. The core topic of the novel, however, is one we rarely talk about in society and most importantly, in the church. The topic of abortion. In most places, it is a legal procedure, and the health practioners who help with it claim it is just 'a bunch of cells' or merely 'tissue' and there is no life there. They claim that it is the woman's choice and if she feels she isnt ready to be a mother, she can 'solve the problem'.

Well, my Bible says,
"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day."
Psalm 139:13‭-‬16 MSG


Life begins at conception friends, God has a plan for the unborn child, even if you may not seem to have one. The book (and review) is not written to condemn anyone. Please know that there is healing for us all and for anyone who would give their burdens to Christ. Lay your sorrows and your loss at the foot of the cross. Jesus is waiting with open arms to grant you perfect healing and forgiveness. And to give you a new, restored life in Him.

Here are some of the lyrics to the song Unplanned by Matthew West:
I'm looking at a masterpiece
I'm staring at a work of art
I'm listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart
You used to be a choice to make
But now I think you've chosen me
'Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be
Oh I don't believe in accidents
Miracles, they don't just happen by chance
As long as my God holds the world in his hand
I know that there's no such thing as unplanned

[Lorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some, this book might not be that exciting or inspiring; for me it was deep and thought provoking, because it was personal. I don't think I have ever cried so much while reading a book, as I did reading this one. I don't mean a tear or two, I mean tears streaming crying. Unfortunately, I could relate all too well with the young female character in this book, with the pain, the shame, the self-condemnation; I could also relate to the healing, the cleansing and the forgiveness that only God can give.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abortion is probably the most divisive social law that we have and will continue to have. The fictional story is about the 3 that abortion affects. The mother, the father and the baby. I liked the Kingsbury gave this baby a name. Just like the holocaust, it was a mass of people without names and abortion in our society has become that. However, there are names, with likes and dislikes, with gifts, and worth. The story is not about judgement, but about forgiveness and healing. The healing comes when dealing with the act of abortion and that was what this story was about.

[Nicki Freitag · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second Christian fiction book that I have read and compared with my first, which I can't remember the title, this was sub par. The depiction of the feelings that Emma and Brad went through were very clear and realistic to me, but the rest of the story felt too contrived, like Laura's book group friends and how quickly Emma's love interest faded in the background for a long time. Also, the author used too much scripture and religious meaning that felt too forceful about trying to convey the moral of the story, that it made the book boring and cheesy.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was hard to read. I felt like the writing was poor, and not really well developed. The characters felt hard to like, with little chemistry. I found it hard to root for any of them, and the way abortion was portrayed doesn't really sit right with me. The overall purity and anti choice message feels very off, and I found this hard to read. Ultimately, not worth the read.

[Patricia Solla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it very interesting the story and characters are compelling. This book is "Christian" lit and although I like the story there was too much reference to Good and the scriptures for my taste.

[Charity U · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing. A story about the impact on the parents of an aborted baby. Very moving and eye-opening.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sad and difficult story to read. A reminder that with God we can find forgivenes, redemption, and grace. A reminder that life is hard and we need a good and powerful God.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik vond het heel interessant op welke manier dit boek het thema abortus aanpakt. De personages in het boek hebben een gelovige achtergrond, en bekijken abortus dus ook vanuit die overtuiging. Zeer interessant om te zien hoe mensen dit beleven en over een beslissing als deze nadenken. Daarnaast is het ook een boek over liefde; de liefde voor je verloofde en de liefde voor iemand uit je verleden.

Ik vond het mooi hoe dit boek veel gevoelens beschrijft en deze kan overbrengen. Ondanks dat het niet spannend is (zoals een thriller) is het toch een boek wat ik wilde blijven doorlezen.

[Christine Indorf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m having a Karen Kingsbury month. Shades of Blue deals with the after effects of abortion. It is well written and it deals well with the trauma of abortion, especially with the female character Emma. She cannot forgive herself which is normal with the trauma of abortion. Forgiveness is the theme of this book and it’s dealt with well. I am very glad I had the opportunity to read this book and I believe it is a book that all Christians should read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book isn't complete without the author's note at the end. Such a tough topic to write about, but I felt like Kingsbury did a great job of exploring the emotions and reality and spiritual ramifications of abortion. I hope many women have found help and hope through this story.

[Jenny Jo Weir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah this book!!! So deep and yet, man it was frustrating. I can't get over the whole missed thing. Also, I just can't get over the way they came about their choice and the outcome. It's a very heavy read but well worth it if you can stomach the gut wrenching regrets.

[Kathy Maresca]

I listened to this via audiobook.

[Diana Buttram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Karen Kingsbury. I made me sad for all the women who had abortions at a young age and regretted their choice. It also showed how abortion affects the father also. A lot of people in our society today are living with this reality.